Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by the Queen after a US judge ruled his trial for sex offences could go ahead.
The Palace said in a statement: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.
“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
Andrew is facing a civil trial for sexual assault in the US, after a judge ruled on Wednesday the case could go ahead. He denies all charges.
His accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claims she was trafficked to have sex with the Queen’s second son when she was 17 and a minor under US law.
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Judge Lewis A Kaplan dismissed a motion by the duke’s lawyers to have the civil case thrown, out after they argued Giuffre had waived her right to pursue Andrew by signing a confidential settlement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The move to remove his titles comes after calls from veterans to strip him of his honorary military roles.
Read more: yahoo
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